A project to make sure every child in Scotland has access to the library is now being rolled out to nurseries across the Stirling area – with children benefitting from online access and no fines.
Raploch Nursery is the first to access the memberships as part of the roll-out. Using their new library cards, children can borrow books from Raploch Community Campus. They can also enjoy free comic books and e-books online.
The national project, titled “Every Child a Library Member” is funded by the Scottish Government and aims to encourage more children to use their local library. It’s hoped the project will help give the youngsters a love of reading, helping to give them the best chance to learn in their early years of development.
Up until now, libraries across Stirling have worked closely with Stirling Council Registrars to make sure every baby born into the area is enrolled into their local library.
The Libraries Team is now extending the project to include nurseries. In a bid to engage children, their families and the local community, fines for younger members have also be removed.
Community Planning and Regeneration Convenor Chris Kane commented: “The early years of a child’s development is one of the most crucial phases and obtaining a love of books and reading from a young age can make all the difference as we enter education. Our libraries continue to move with the times and now offer free Wi-Fi and a number of digital resources, as well as traditional literature. I hope as many young people as possible in the Stirling area are able to take advantage of their new memberships.”
The rollout of the Every Child a Library Member scheme will reach nurseries across the Stirling area over the next year.